Chinese orchestra to perform Mozart's 'Requiem' for pope

Published: 2008-04-29

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- China's Philharmonic Orchestra was set to perform Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Requiem" in the Vatican for Pope Benedict XVI, reported Vatican Radio. Currently on tour throughout Europe, the orchestra was offering the May 7 evening concert in the Paul VI hall "in honor" of the pope, who is an aficionado of Mozart and classical music. Vatican Radio reported April 29 that the Shanghai Opera House Chorus was also scheduled to perform along with the Beijing-based, state-run orchestra. Vatican Radio said this "important concert in the Vatican" would show that "music is a language and precious means of dialogue between peoples and cultures." Directed by Long Yu, the orchestra was founded in 2000 and has played numerous concerts around the world.

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